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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Puggle

The Puggle—a Pug crossed with a Beagle—lands somewhere between lap dog and scent-driven explorer, with a small frame, a big appetite, and both parent breeds' habit of putting on weight quietly. That mix is exactly why how you feed one matters so much.

Here is how to feed a Puggle on freeze-dried raw: measured by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that protects their joints, skin folds, and waistline.

  • Adult weight14–30 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate to high
  • Lifespan10–15 years
  • CoatShort, smooth — steady shedder
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A healthy Puggle
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Puggle's body needs

Every Puggle trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Weight-prone from both parents

    Needs: Precise portions, lean protein

    Measured freeze-dried raw—fed by weight, not by the Beagle nose—keeps a Puggle lean. On a small dog, staying lean is the single biggest lever for a longer, healthier life.

  • Hip dysplasia & patellar luxation risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and every ounce kept off takes load straight off small joints.

  • Skin folds & a steady shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting the wrinkles and short coat a Puggle is prone to keeping clean and comfortable.

  • Bright, busy mind and body

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    Real meat, organs and bone fuel steady energy for daily walks, nose work and play—without the carb fillers that spike and crash a small dog.

  • Treat-motivated trainee

    Needs: Calorie-honest rewards

    Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats let you reward all that trainability without blowing the daily calorie budget that keeps a Puggle trim.

How much to feed a Puggle

Quick answer: a healthy adult Puggle (14–30 lb) needs about 2.1–4.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
14 lb 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 oz
22 lb typical Puggle 3.3 oz 1.7 oz
26 lb 3.9 oz 2.0 oz
30 lb 4.5 oz 2.3 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Puggle

For a Puggle we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base—real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler—or as a topper while you transition. Because it is calorie-dense and measured by weight, it makes precise portioning easy for a small, weight-prone dog.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit weight-watchers and sensitive skin; richer Beef adds variety for picky or active days. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Puggles

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Daily support for Puggles

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Treats Puggles love

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Feeding a Puggle by life stage

  • Puppy: Puggle puppies have a fast metabolism and small stomachs, so split the day into 3–4 small meals, often including a midday feeding. Feed to a healthy lean shape from the start—setting good portion habits early heads off the lifelong weight battle both parent breeds face.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible tuck, split across two meals—one morning, one evening. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag, and remember to count treats.
  • Senior: Activity slows but appetite rarely does. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition as older knees and hips need more help.

Common Puggle concerns — and the diet connection

  • Weight gain & obesityThe most common and most preventable Puggle issue—measured raw feeding and a lean body condition lower the strain on nearly every other concern on this list.
  • Hip dysplasia & patellar luxationLargely structural, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) support day-to-day comfort and take pressure off small, vulnerable joints.
  • Skin-fold & coat careWrinkles and a short shedding coat ask a lot of the skin; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier from the inside out.
  • Energy & lean muscleA busy little dog runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance—not on carbohydrate fillers.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Puggle: what to know

Puggles inherit a weight problem from both sides—Pugs and Beagles are two of the most weight-prone breeds there are, and a Beagle nose will happily talk you into a second dinner. Feed to body condition, not to the begging: you should feel the ribs easily and see a tuck behind the ribs from above.

Because these dogs are small, even a few extra ounces is a meaningful share of their body. Weigh portions instead of eyeballing them, count treats as part of the daily total, and re-check the amount every few weeks—especially after any drop in activity.

Puggle feeding questions

How much should I feed my Puggle?
A healthy adult Puggle (14–30 lb) needs roughly 2–4.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble—feed to a lean tuck and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Puggle that gains weight easily?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod makes portion control easy and keeps calories honest. Weigh each meal, count treats, and feed to body condition rather than to your Puggle's appetite.
How do I switch my Puggle to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline as you go.
Does a Puggle need joint support?
Many do, given the breed's hip dysplasia and patellar luxation risk. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Puggle lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Can I use treats to train my Puggle without making them gain weight?
Yes—Puggles are very treat-motivated, which makes training easier. Use single-ingredient freeze-dried treats, break them small, and subtract them from the day's food so rewards never tip the calorie balance.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.